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Draymond Green Called Out After Major NBA Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 7:43 PM ET

Beginning about three weeks ago, a movement took hold suggesting that, perhaps, with star center Victor Wembanyama out for the season after a blood clot, NBA awards voters should shift their defensive player selection toward a sort-of lifetime achievement candidate: Warriors forward Draymond Green.

Indeed, Green had a solid defensive season for the Warriors. But whether he should have been tabbed the top defender in the game was somewhat specious.

Also causing some to cast a critical eye on the notion of Green as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year was the fact that the chief proponent of Green winning the award was mostly Green himself.

"Give 'em young guys their credit, I think what they're doing is amazing. I think this is one of the last, best chances I'll have [to win DPOY]," Green told ESPN's Malika Andrews.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area, he said, "It would mean the world to me; you know I pride myself on the defensive end. I think to be acknowledged as the best defender in this league is no small feat. It's something that, I never pride myself on winning awards, but they never hurt the ego and they don't hurt the pockets.

"But most importantly, even more so than that, I think all the hard work you put in to try and stay at an elite level, and to be recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year at 35, eight years after first doing it, it takes a lot of work and a lot of effort to have that type of longevity."

Green won the DPOY in 2016-17, and it could be argued he had other worthy seasons. But on Thursday, despite having gained some momentum here in April, it became clear that this would not be one of those season, as the NBA announced its DPOY winner.

That would be Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers (285 points). No. 2 was Dyson Daniels (197) of the Hawks. Green had 154 points.

Fans razzed Green immediately for what was perceived as his failed campaign for the award.

Wrote one Twitter/X user: "DRAYMOND PR CAMPAIGN FAILED. EVAN MOBLEYYYYYYYY LETS GOOOO."

Another noted, "Draymond done all that campaigning just to finish 3rd."

And so it went.